Pressure container with removable closure



Jan. 13, 1953 H. l... PARR PRESSURE CONTAINER WITH REMOVABLE CLOSURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 30. 1949 FIG.

IN VEN TOR.

HAROLD L. FARR ATTORNEY Jan. 13, 1953 H. L.. PARR 2,

PRESSURE CONTAINER WITH REMOVABLE CLOSURE Filed June 30. 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. HAROLD L. PARR A Tram/5y Jan. 13, 1953 H. L. FARR PRESSURE CONTAINER WITH REMOVABLE CLOSURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 30, 1949 Q C C A L 5 6. v //\\W m 6 w n 6 w 7 Q $07.0 m 6 6L m F F ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 13, 1953 Harold L.v Parr, ,Moline, Illa, assignor. to Parr. In-. strument Co., ;Moline, Ill;,. arcorporation ofi lllis nois Applicatibn: J1me. 30, 1949,. Se1'ifl1'iNDn102325: (Cl. 225-61)- 8 Claims Thepresent:invention;relateszgenerally tonnes:- sure containers: such: as;. for example; oalorimes ters, oxy en. bombs.reaction;.vesselsrandztheilikei and .more. particularly to removable, closure means for; retaining gases, and fluids under ,EX-s tremely high pressures; and; temperatures. within the containers; inventionrelates-to impmver ments in. the; closures: disclosed; in EatjentjNo; 1,115,238 grantedzQctober 27,, 19.1.4, to S. W. Parr and in Patent N0. 2965:8570. granted: to: me December 29., 1.936..

Each: of these patentsdiscloses a vessel-having a coverwhich isheldrin closed positiona-by means of. a, flanged collar: threadedonthe: end of t e vessel. Although.v containers. of: thistyp'e have been used. successfully, for years theyaresuhject-to, thev disadvantage that duringdisassembly of, theclosure-the collar moves upwardly relative to the cover, and may interfere with. gauges, valves andpipe. connections which are generally,- mounted on top of the; cover. and. often overhang the sides of the. vessel.

A1 primary object of my invention relates to the provision of a closurein which thesecuringiparts are-not:required.to move toward-thefittings, etc;,

on the cover duringdisassembly and;hence do-nnt.

interfere therewith.

A related. object-relates to the provision: of..a.

removable closure in. which the; elements can be removed radially outwardly and? downwardly; away from. the. fittings.- on: top-of the coveninev stead of upwardly towardthexfitt'm'gs; as. was heretofore known to..- those skilledin; theartv,

Another object of, my invention relates; to theprovision of a closure in which the necessityfor close tolerances, inthe machining of the. parts; is obviate-(1..

A further object relates to: theprovisiomof. a closure which facilitates the opening or closing of thevessel while hot.

Still another object relates toltheprovision ot a container with a removable: closure which does notrequire threads on the containenzwhichrpmvidesfor easier cleaning of the-vessel.

These and other. objects. and. advantages willbe apparent to. those skilled in the art. after. a: consideration of the. following description, in which, reference is. had to, the drawings; appended hereto, in which- Figure 1 is anelevationalview of. a pressure container embodying the principles. of. my inven: tion, a portion of whichis shown in sectiontaken along a line ll in Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a top plan view ofthe container.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken, along a line 3-3' in Figure 2.

Figures 1' is a. ,top, plan. view-- of a modified form of the invention the parts being. shown int a loosened; position.

Figure his a. view; similar to Figure 4 butwith the closure secured, in pressure-retaining conditions Figure. 6. is an elevationalviewshowing' another embodimentof the; invention, aportion of the container. beingbroken away along, a-line 6-6 n Fi ure 7-.-

Figure? isatop plan, view of theembodiment shown in Figure 6..

Referring now tothe drawin saand. more par.- ticularly to Figures-1;, 2: and 3,.the. pressure container comprises a. generally cylindrical hollow member or vessel!!! having-a closed; bottom. H. andanopentop-which can. be. coveredlby. a 010- sure l.-2.- The closure comprisesacover t3 hav-- ing anannula-r groove [4' in the bottomsurface, inwardly, of the. outer edge, andan annular sealing. elementv [.57 of a suitable. yielding material, preferably resilient. such as rubber, although other materialsuch: as. copper, gold or even an.- nealedstainless steel. canbe: used in the. heavier assemblies. The upper edge of the vessel l0. is received within. the. groove ['11. in contact with the sealing element.,l5l The groove I4= receives the upper, edge. of the. vessel. with. a fairly close fit tov protect. the. seal, 115. from. the. heat and pressure ofthegasesin the vessel.v

Rising; from the center of; the cover is. a. neck [6 having a passage I! communicating.- with. the interior of the vessel, 'Ihisneckprovides.a.connection. between .vthe. interior. oflthe. vessel and the; necessary supply. line valve indicated by reference numeral, l8 and.other. fittiHQSSHChaflS-fi pipe-19. -which..might:- connect with a pressure gauge... or. other: device, usedin; oxygen ,bomb. work, as is well knowntothose skilled in the art. These variousflttings are inot an essential part. of the. present. invention, .but areshown. to demonstrate the; fact. that, they. overhang the. outer side of the. vessel;

The closure. is. secured. in. closed; positionby means. of' a. split ring comprising. a pair of an, nular: segments Z5; Z6 positioned inperipheral relationaroundthe cover L3. .Ih the-preferred embodiment illustrated. the? split. ring. comprises two segments each .ofwhich is .semircircul'ar. and.

has. a first inwardly, extendingflange or shoulder 2'l.' near. thelower. edgethereof and a second flange 28' spaced. above the flange 21 and, extending inwardly over the cover ['3 in overlapping relationthereto anjdfto the. vessel [0T itself. The lowerv flange 21' is positioned normally to engage a. downwardly facing. peripheral. shoulder 297 011;

the vessel I0, spaced axially beneath the open top end thereof and formed integrally with the vessel.

Each of the segments 25, 26 is provided with a number of angularly spaced threaded elements in the form of set screws 30 disposed in threaded apertures 3| in the top flange 26. These set screws 30 are mounted on vertical axes and have rounded lower ends 32 positioned to bear upon a peripheral bearing ring 33, which is seated in a peripheral recess 34 in the upper edge of the cover I3. The ring 33 has a groove or depression 35 in the top face to receive the rounded ends 32 of the set screws 30. Each of the screws 30 has a hexagonal socket 36 adapted to receive a suitable tool for tightening and loosening the screws into and out of clamping relation against the bearing ring 33.

A removable continuous band 40 loosely encircles the segments 25, 26 and normally is in the form of a circular collar. It is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed set screws 4|, 42 threaded into apertures 43 in the band 40 and having wedging elements in the form of conical inner ends 44 which are insertable in cooperative wedging elements in the form of recesses 45 in the adjacent edges of the annular segments 25, 26. Each set screw 4!, 42 has sockets 46 similar to those 36 in the set screws 33, by means of which the screws 4 I, 42 can be screwed into wedging relation between the adjacent ends of the segments to spread the latter apart.

In assembling the bomb, the cover I3 and vessel l are brought together and the upper edge of the vessel is fitted into the groove I4 in contact with the sealing ring 15. The two semi-circular segments 25, 26 are then placed in position with the flange 21 under the shoulder 29 on the vessel. The band 40 is then slipped over the lower end of the vessel 16 and raised into position embracing the segments 25, 26, the set screws 4|, 42 being retracted outwardly to clear the segments. Then the set screws 4!, 42 are tightened into wedging relation in the recesses 45 between the ends of the segments, thus spreading the latter apart. As the screws 4|, 42 are thus tightened, the band 40 is sprung into an elliptical shape as is evident in Figure 2, whereby the intermediate side portions of the band are drawn inwardly against the mid portions of the segments 25, 26 as indicated at 4'1, 48, respectively. Hence, by tightening the set screws 4], 42, the adjacent ends of the segments are wedged apart to force the mid portions outwardly at 41, 48 and at the same time the springing of the band by tightening the screws 4|, 42 draws the band inwardly against the segments at 41, 48, thus rigidifying the entire structure.

The set screws 30 are also tightened in their threaded apertures 3| to bear downwardly against the bearing ring 33 in the cover l3, thus acting to force the latter and the sealing ring I downwardly in pressure tight relation upon the upper edge of the vessel. The screws 30 react against the upper flange 28 of each segment, tending to raise the latter but prevented from doing so by contact between the shoulders 21, 29 on the segments and the vessel, respectively. It is preferable to tighten each of the several set screws 36, 4!, 42 a little at a time, to tighten them equally, rather than to completely tighten each one before beginning on another.

By the above explained method, the closure is secured in pressure tight relation on the vessel. This construction illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 is designed to withstand internal pressures in the order of two thousand pounds per square inch. It should be noted that internal pressure does not tend to loosen or disturb the closure securing means, nor does it tend to increase the stress in the band 40. Internal pressure tends to force the cover away from the vessel, which force is resisted by the tensile strength of the segments 25, 26. The segments are not forced radially outwardly, however.

To remove the closure, all set screws 30, 41, 42 are loosened, the band 40 dropped downwardly away from the segments, and the segments moved laterally away from the bomb to release the cover, without any interference with the fittings, valves or gauges which might be mounted on the cover. When the set screws 4!, 42 are loose, the band 40 returns to a cylindrical form because of its resilience, thus providing adequate clearance around the segments, with the latter moved into contact with each other, to permit the band to be slipped down away from the segments 25, 26.

The container shown in plan view in Figures 4 and 5 is generally similar to that described above, but is designed for much higher internal pressures, in the order of six thousand pounds per square inch. The parts of this embodiment are given similar reference numerals, to which are added the letter a. It will be evident upon inspection that there are more set screws 30a for resisting the greater internal pressures and the screws are spaced closer together to better distribute the pressure against the top of the flange 28a. The fittings l3, [9 have been omitted from these views to expose the details of construction.

The removable band 400. is considerably heavier, thus eliminating the distortion of the band when the set screws 41a, 42a, are tightened as shown in Figure 5. The band 44a is, therefore, in a substantially cylindrical shape at all times. The outer surface 56 of the segments 25a, 26a is formed on the same radius of curvature as the inner surface 5| of the band, so that when the closure is tightened, as in Figure 5, the surfaces contact each other throughout their areas. The segments 25a, 26a are made slightly less than in are, thereby leaving a gap 52 between adjacent ends of the segments when the latter are spread to engage the band surface 5|. The outer surface 50 of each segment is chamfered near the two ends thereof, as illustrated at 53, to provide clearance between the segments and the band 40a when the segments are closed together as in Figure 4.

The method of installing and removing the closure in this embodiment is similar to that described in connection with the embodiment of Figures 1, 2 and 3.

Whereas the closures shown in Figures 1 through 5 embody the sealing arrangement shown in Patent No. 1,115,238, the third embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7 employ the method of sealing disclosed in my prior Patent No. 2,065,870, but according to the present invention, the threads are entirely eliminated from the closure.

The cover 55 in this embodiment is adapted to slide into the open end of the vessel 55, which is enlarged to provide an inwardly tapering seat 51 spaced below the upper edge of the vessel. The cover 55 has a flange 58 which ngages the seat 51 to close the vessel and support the cover. A peripheral recess 59 is provided around the upper edge of the cover 55 to receive a resilient sealing element or ring 60 between the cover and the inner wall of the vessel 56. The bottom of the recessed portion 59 of thecover 55 is a conical surface, so that the resilient seal can be forced downwardly to provide a wedging action to effectively seal the space between the cover and vessel. A bearing ring 6| of metal is disposed within the recess 59 in contact with the top of the sealing ring 60 and extends above the edge of the vessel. The sealing ring (it is protected from high temperatures in the vessel bythe cover closing against the seat 51.

A split ring in the form of a pair of generally semi-circular segments 62, 63 are, disposed in peripheral relation to embrace the upper portion of the vessel in a manner similar to the hereinbefore-described embodiments. In this instance, however, each of the segments has an upper flange 66 overlapping the upper edge of the vessel 56 and also the bearing ring 6|, and has a conical inner surface 61 which engages a cooperative conical top surface 68 on the bearing ring 6| to provide a wedging action tending to urge the ring 6 I' and sealing element 511 downwardly into the recess 59 when the segments 62, 53 are moved inwardly toward the vessel 56.. This increases the pressure of the element 60 against the vessel and cover for resisting internal pressure within the vessel.

The segments 52, 63 hav lower flanges 69 adapted to engage a peripheral, downwardly facing shoulder I0 formed integrally around the vessel as in the previously described embodiments. A removable band H is provided to embrace the segments 62, 63' to prevent their spreading and to retain them in closure securing position. In this embodiment, no set screws are required, for the inner surface 72 of the band ii is conical converging upwardly, and the outer surface '13 of the segments is also conical and adapted to contact with the surface 72, whereby downward pressure on the band tends to force the segments 62, 63 inwardly. Thus, the conical surfaces 12, 13 comprise wedging elements cooperable to retain the segments 62, 83 in securing position.

This embodiment is assembled by dropping the cover 55 into seating relation with the conical seat 51. The sealing lement fill and bearing ring 6| are then set into the recess 59, after which the segments 62, 63 are brought together on opposite sides of the vessel. The band H is then pressed downwardly over the segments. High pressures in the vessel are resisted by the top flange 66 of the segments, the reaction of which is transmitted through the lower flange 69 to the shoulder 10. Inasmuch as the conical surfaces 67, 68 are nearly in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the vessel, the component of the force of pressure within the container is insufficient to overcome the frictional resistance of the band H on the segments.

The principles of my invention are not necessarily limited to closures for containers, for they may be employed in other situations for coupling two members rigidly together wherever threaded flanged collars are now employed, as on pipes or tubes.

I do not intend my invention to be limited to the particular details shown and described herein, except as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. Closure securing means for a container having a normally open top, a removable closure therefor, and a downwardly facing shoulder disposed peripherally on said container adjacent the top thereof, said securing means comprising a peripherally extending member split generally axially and having a first inwardly extending 6 flange-adapted to engage said shoulder and a sec-:- ond flange positioned to overlap said closure, a removable band adapted to be mounted on and to embrace said split member and a threaded ele-. ment disposed in a threaded aperture in said band and having a tapered end positioned to enter into wedging engagement between adjacent ends of said peripherally extending: split member to. expand the latter within said band by turning said element in its threaded aperture.

2. Closure securing means for a generally cylin drical hollow member having an open end,. a closure therefor, and a radial shoulder peripherally disposed adjacent said open end, said securing means comprising a split ring adapted to. loosely encircle said member and having a first inwardly projecting flange positioned to engage said shoulder and a. second inwardly projecting flange positioned to overlap said closure, a removable band embracing said split ring, and a threaded element disposed in a threaded aperture in said band and having a tapered end positioned to enter into wedging engagement between ad-' jacent ends of said split ring to expand the latterwithin said band by turning said element in its threaded aperture.

3. For use with a generally cylindrical hollow member having an open end, a shoulder extending peripherally adjacent said end' and facing in the opposite direction thereto, and a removable closure for said open end, theimprovement' comprising means for securing saidclosure to close said open end including a plurality of annular segments adapted to be positioned in peripheral relation to said end of said member, each of said segments having a pair of axially spaced inwardly extending flanges adapted to receive between them said shoulder and said closure, a removableband adapted to peripherally mbrace said annular segments, and a plurality of set screws disposed in threaded apertures in said band and having tapered ends positioned to enter into wedging engagement between adjacent ends of said segments to expand the latter within said band by turning said screws in their threaded apertures.

4. A pressure container comp-rising in combination, a generally cylindrical vessel having an open top and a downwardly facing peripheral shoulder spaced beneath said top, a cover disposed over the opening of said vessel, sealing means between said cover and said vessel, a plurality of annular segments, each segment having a lower flange engaging said shoulder and an upper flange extending inwardly over said cover to hold said closure, said sealing means and said vessel in pressure retaining relation, a removable band embracing said segments, and a plurality of set screws disposed in threaded apertures in said band and having tapered ends positioned to enter into wedging engagement between adjacent ends of said segments to expand the latter within said band by turning said screws in their threaded apertures.

5. For use with a generally cylindrical hollow member having an open end, a shoulder extending peripherally adjacent said end and facing in the opposite direction thereto, and a removable closure overlying said open end, the improvement which comprises means for securing said closure over said end including a split ring adapted to loosely encircle said member and hav-- ing a pair of axially spaced inwardly extending flanges adapted to receive between them said shoulder and said closure, a plurality of threaded elements disposed in threaded apertures in one of said flanges and adapted to bear against said closure to force the latter into closed position on said member, a removable band embracing said split ring, and a threaded element disposed in a threaded aperture in said band and having a tapered end positioned to enter into wedging engagement between adjacent ends of said split ring to expand the latter within said band by turning said last mentioned element in its threaded aperture.

6. For use with a generally cylindrical hollow member having an open end, a shoulder extending peripherally adjacent said end and facing in the opposite direction thereto, and a removable closure overlying said open end, the improvement which comprises means for securing said closure over said end, including a plurality of annular segments adapted to be positioned in peripheral relation to the nd of said member, each of said segments having a first inwardly extending flange adapted to engage said shoulder, a second flange positioned to overlap said closure and a plurality of threaded elements disposed in threaded apertures in said second flange and adapted to bear against said closure to force the latter into closed position on said member, a removable band adapted to peripherally mbrace said annular segments, and a plurality of set screws disposed in threaded apertures in said band and having tapered ends positioned to enter into wedging engagement between adjacent ends of said seg ments to expand the latter within said band by turning said screws in their threaded apertures.

7. A pressure container comprising in combination, a generally cylindrical vessel having an open top and a downwardly facing peripheral shoulder spaced beneath said top, a cover disposed over the opening of said vessel, sealing means between said cover and said vessel, a plurality of annular segments, each segment having a lower flange engaging said shoulder and an upper flange extending inwardly over said cover, a plurality of axially positioned set screws disposed in threaded apertures in said upper flange and adapted to bear against said cover to hold said cover, said sealing means and said vessel in pressure retaining relation, a removabl band embracing said segments, and a plurality of set screws disposed in threaded apertures in said band and having tapered ends positioned to enter into wedging engagement between adjacent nds of said segments to expand the latter within said band by turning said last-mentioned set screws in their threaded apertures.

8. A coupling for connecting a pair of generally cylindrical members, said coupling comprising a plurality of annular segments adapted to be positioned in peripheral relation to adjacent portions of said members, each of said segments having a pair of axially spaced inwardly extending flanges adapted to receive therebetween cooperative parts of said members, a removable band adapted to peripherally embrace said segments, and a plurality of set screws disposed in threaded apertures in said band and having tapered ends positioned to enter into wedging engagement between adjacent ends of said annular segments to expand the latter within said band by turning said screws in their threaded apertures.

HAROLD L. PARR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 210,320 Graham Nov. 26, 1878 1,264,367 Conard Apr. 30, 1918 1,700,670 DeFrancisci Jan. 29, 1929 1,734,236 Smith et al Nov. 5, 1929 1,868,661 I-Ieimberger July 26, 1932 1,871,834 Astrom Aug. 16, 1932 2,065,870 Parr Dec. 29, 1936 2,196,895 Bowman Apr. 9, 1940 2,229,435 Barnes Jan. 21, 1941 2,234,084 Rauh Mar. 4, 1941 2,338,622 Cleveland Jan. 4, 1944 2,339,343 Magnesen Jan. 18, 1944 2,340,896 Neef, Jr Feb. 8, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 202,203 Canada July 27, 1920 

